The Power of Salvation in the Cup

“He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it, for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matthew 26:27-28

Without the shedding of blood there is no freedom from the bondage of sin. Hebrews 9:22

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” Leviticus 17:11

Atonement– to cover, purge, make reconciliation, cover over with pitch…

The Law of Moses necessitated that blood, life’s source, be offered upon the altar to make reconciliation or atonement for one’s soul. The same Hebrew word for atonement is rendered “pitch” when scripture speaks of Noah building the Ark. He was instructed to pitch the ark within and without. (Genesis 6:14) Noah was instructed to make atonement regarding the ark, in order that its occupants could be saved. He needed to cover up that which would cause them to be lost.

In Leviticus 17:11, the blood shed was used to make atonement for man’s soul. Like the ark, that which would cause them to be lost, would be covered, and provide remission from the bondage of sin.

While this was the prescribed method under the Law of Moses, there was something lacking in its long-term ability. The High Priests, prior to the death burial and resurrection of Jesus, were imperfect men, offering the blood of animals. Jesus, however, was sinless and offered His unblemished blood to make atonement for the sins of the world.

“…Christ being come a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Hebrews 9:11-12

As we partake of the fruit of the vine, consider the power of salvation in the shed blood of Jesus.

“The contents of the cup that Jesus asked His disciples to drink of, symbolized His blood which He emptied himself of in order that man may be released from the bondage or imprisonment of sin.”